30/12/2016 EastEnders

HE PANTS

Hello?

I'm just saying that Max being back is just odd.

He might have an agenda and I think we should just be careful.

What, by going to the traders' Christmas party?

-That's really clever, Martin.

-Oh, come on!

-He's trying to gain people's trust, ain't he? Wheedling his way back in.

-Because he didn't do anything wrong!

Just think of Ian and Jane and everything they've been through.

Do you think they really need Max on some sort of revenge mission?

-He is just a lonely man, Martin, trying to rebuild his life.

-Exactly.

What, and you want to be the person to go and stir it all up again?

What good will that do? It's just going to wind him up and push him over the edge

and he's probably just going to end up back in jail.

STACEY SIGHS

All right, fine.

Fine! But I ain't happy about it.

Hold up, I've not even had a shower yet.

Well, I'll see you at the party. Bex is watching the kids.

Please, can you step back? It isn't safe.

I met you earlier, didn't I?

This morning, you were in a hurry.

You seemed a little...

My name's Karen. I work here.

-I scared you.

-It's OK.

-I'm sorry...

-What's your name?

I... I never meant to.

It's OK.

Why don't you come away from the edge?

My office is inside.

You must be freezing.

I can't feel a thing.

What's your name, love?

Please, why don't you just tell me your name?

Lee.

'Is there someone I can call for you, Lee?

'No.

'Mum? Dad?

-'Girlfriend?

-I said no.'

I'm here. You can talk to me.

There's nothing to say.

Look at them. Look.

Millions and millions of people all living their lives,

all busy getting on with stuff, knowing what they're up to.

Why can't I be like them?

# So, here it is Merry Christmas... #

'Some people, they just... They just know how to do it.

'Enjoy themselves, have a good time.

'Have a laugh and joke with their mates.

'It just comes so easy.'

'There ain't no question of who they are, they're just...'

They just are.

And you don't feel that way, Lee?

I don't know.

Sometimes.

Not lately.

Lately, I just...

I feel like...

Like I'm an alien - an alien who's...

who's landed on Earth and he's just...

pretending.

Pretending what?

To be a man.

'Except, I don't really know what that's supposed to be.'

Right, one shot or two?

I'll put it in your glass when she's not looking.

I have, seriously, I've stopped.

Yeah? All right, fair play. Is it easy?

I don't know, it's like anything,

you just make a choice and stick to it. Like smoking.

Yeah, all right. Next, you'll be telling me you've given up sex.

I have.

You nearly got me, then.

It's like anything, you know,

we spend our lives trying to distract ourselves, ain't we?

We've got internet, food, shopping, sex, drugs, drink...

Nah, it just sounds like a pretty standard weekend to me.

Makes you happy, does it?

You know, none of us are getting any younger, are we?

Look, I might seem like a mess-up, yeah, but I've got a plan.

Excuse me.

Thanks for inviting him.

Well, I'm starting to regret it.

What, him and Roxy?

No, just him being back round here -

I don't know if it's a very good idea.

It's fine.

Talk to him.

If I've got something to say, I'll say it.

-Nice food?

-Yeah. What do you have?

-Turkey.

-Oh, yeah, me, too.

-Funny that.

-What?

-Doesn't matter. More wine?

-Mm.

MOBILE RINGS

Is that your phone?

-I don't know, is it?

-Do you want to answer it?

-No.

-Someone might be wondering where you are, love.

Yeah, it'll be Whitney.

MOBILE CONTINUES TO RING

Whitney?

My wife.

'Tell me about her. What's she like - Whitney?'

'She's beautiful.

'Sweet, innocent.

'She sees the best in people.

'She thinks things will work out, even when it's a lost cause.

'She looks at me and sees someone better.

'At least she used to, anyway, but now, she's starting to cotton on.'

Cotton on?

To the real me.

Hi. How are you today?

Yeah, not bad. Bit tired.

What's he doing here?

-Charming.

-Well, I thought you'd be bored of just seeing me.

That's your idea of entertainment, is it?

Did you bring any chocolates?

No, but instead, I brought you a car magazine.

So, what's been happening? What's new?

Well, nothing really.

It's lovely having Michelle back.

Seeing her, Kathy and Martin on the stall today, I had to pinch myself.

-Yeah, it was a bit surreal, wasn't it?

-Yeah.

-She wants to come in and see you.

-Anything else?

Jack and Ronnie are getting everything ready for the wedding.

-Everyone's excited.

-Bring my suit in tomorrow, please.

-You know what the doctors have said.

-I feel loads better.

-Phil...

Since she's my cousin, I want to be there,

even if she is marrying a Branning.

What?

MOBILE BEEPS

Phil?

It's Antoinette.

Tony...

..he died this morning.

'Who else could the call be from?'

I don't know, my dad, I guess.

Are you close to your dad?

Close? He's close to everyone.

That's what my dad does.

'He's good at it, making friends.

'He's... People like him.

'He's one of those people who've just...

'Oh, they've just got it!

'But that can make you sick sometimes.

'People say it's hard coming from a broken home and I believe it,

'don't get me wrong,

'but when your mum and dad are the best couple in the world...

'..somehow, that's hard and all.'

MOBILE VIBRATES

L?

Yeah, you read my mind.

I was just about to call you.

Yeah, I love you, too.

Do you have brothers and sisters?

Both.

Do they feel the same way about your mum and dad?

I don't know, why?

I don't know. Do you get along with them?

My sister, she's away.

My brother, Johnny...

..he was my best man.

So you must be close.

'Yeah, but he's my brother, ain't he? He has to put up with me.

'I didn't ask a mate because I ain't got no-one close.

'Not like Johnny - he's got mates, uni mates.

'You know, he's clever, he's sensitive, girls like him,

'boys fancy him, which is good because he's gay.'

Sometimes I wonder if it'd be easier if I'd been that way.

What do you mean?

I don't know.

I don't know, it just seems like being a straight bloke...

It was easier when my grandad was young.

My dad even, but now...

I try so hard to do the right thing.

To bring in the money, provide day in, day out

doing a job I hate, taking advantage of people and for what?

What, minimum wage?

Yeah, right.

I can't even admit to my own wife how little I'm worth.

I said I'm fine.

Look, I'll send her flowers if you like?

-Let her know we're thinking of them.

-Flowers? He needed a liver.

Phil, he wasn't fit on the day.

That wasn't your fault.

Sharon's right, you can't feel guilty over something you had

no control over.

I've done... I've done plenty of things I should feel guilty for,

and I haven't lost a wink of sleep over, but this...

20 years I've had on him already.

20 years and what have I done with them?

'Then you start doing things you ain't proud of,

'because you think if you don't, then who are you?'

You're nothing.

You're not nothing, Lee.

-You might have made mistakes, but you're not nothing.

-Mistakes!

A mistake is turning up a week early to a doctor's appointment.

I ain't made no mistakes.

I've seriously let down people I love.

But that still doesn't make you a bad person, love.

What would you know, eh?

Earlier today - you saw I was scared and it upset you, love.

That's compassion.

That's being human.

So? So, I still did those things.

I still hurt my family.

They don't deserve that.

They'd be so much better off if I weren't around.

Do you really believe that?

Yeah.

-You think they'd be happier if you weren't here?

-Yeah.

HE PANTS

Really think about it, love.

-Have you seen Lee?

-Why, what, he's not come home?

I've called and text and that, but nothing.

Maybe he's gone for a drink after work.

-He's got that mate, hasn't he? Oz?

-Yeah, probably.

You look worried, darling.

No, no, I'm just being silly.

'What about Whitney?

'How would she feel if you left her alone?'

MOBILE BEEPS

There, that's probably her now wondering where you are,

wishing she'd hear the key in the lock and you'd walk through

-the door, and give her a smile.

-Why are you saying all these things?

You don't know her, you don't know me!

-You don't know anything!

-You love that girl, I can see that.

Yeah, of course I do!

Of course I do, but so what?

Love don't solve a thing.

Not when you're feeling so lost, love. I know that.

You think you're alone, but, Lee, my love, you're not.

You don't get it! You don't get how I feel!

Maybe not, but you only have to look around and you see people suffering.

People like you, mostly men, mostly young.

All thinking there's something wrong with them

for not being able to cope.

Cope! Why do we always have to do that, eh?

Life's flipping hard!

Sometimes it's like a massive wave comes and crashes over you,

and spins you upside down so you don't even know which way is up.

But sometimes the currents are gentle, Lee,

and you can swim whichever way you like.

Or if you want, you can just lie back and float

because those times are part of life too, Lee. I promise you.

You've just got to weather this storm.

Just grab hold of a lifeboat, love.

Just grab hold and that's the start.

You're not alone. I promise you, you're not.

Just take my hand.

Come on! Grab hold.

Come on! Grab hold, love.

Come on, just take my hand.

Grab hold.

HE PANTS

SHE SCREAMS

I've got you, love. I've got you.

HE WEEPS

I've got you, love, I've got you.

You're OK, love. I've got you, love!

HE WEEPS

So you're going to be one big happy family, are you?

Yeah.

I know it seems bonkers, but it's going to work.

Ronnie's adopting Amy.

What, and you're all right with that?

It was my idea.

The lines are blurred anyway.

You know, Ronnie's maternal in a way that I'll never be

and I know she won't come between us.

Yeah, what about Jack?

What about him?

Are you sure you want to give them that much power over you?

It ain't like that.

Rox, when stuff like that gets legal, you've got to be careful.

I trust my sister.

It can't be easy, can it?

Her and Jack, walking round like they're in some sort of

untouchable bubble.

All wholesome, above everyone else.

Yeah, not exactly like they're squeaky clean, is it?

Well, exactly. That's what I'm saying.

If they mess up, or do the wrong thing, people forgive and forget.

Not like us.

We're different.

How do you mean?

You must have noticed?

When we make a mistake, it sticks.

People don't trust us. We give off a whiff.

Yeah, well, that's why I'm going to Ongar.

Fresh start and all, yeah?

-What, you don't think it's a good idea?

-No, it's fine.

Rox, it's fine. You know, I'm all for positive thinking.

SHE SCOFFS

I'm going to the bar. Would you like anything?

Oi, what's the matter with you? Santa didn't fill your stocking?

What is wrong with her?

Just giving her a bit of friendly advice, that's all.

You're wasting your time. She ain't your friend anyway.

She's all right, she's harmless.

Just stop. I just don't like the way people are treating you.

It makes me angry.

-Why, what's she done?

-Nothing.

Not her, anyway. She probably ain't even got a clue.

-What, Ronnie?

-No.

Well, then, who?

Phil.

Phil? What's Phil done?

You meant it, didn't you, when you said the past is the past?

You're not here to settle any scores?

Stace, can you just tell me? Please.

Phil...

Phil bribed the foreman in your trial.

That's why you were found guilty.

I weren't meant to say anything, but how's that fair?

You deserve to know the truth.

Oh, Max!

Max, come on, it isn't going to change anything.

Just stay here, please.

-Max, just stay here.

-Just get out my way.

-No, Max, please.

-Get out my way, please.

So I trusted you.

I had to tell him. Max is like family to me.

He's upset now, but he ain't going to do anything stupid, Martin.

-I know him.

-Your little, special bond.

You don't need to be jealous.

I'm not.

So we're all right then?

Yeah.

Bit sad, isn't it?

Turning up to your old work's Christmas party on your own.

I've worked hard all year, I've got a right to be here.

Anyway, I'm not my own, I'm with Max.

Really? I could have sworn I just saw him leave.

Right, what can I get you?

-Can I get a large white wine, please?

-Yep.

Where's your dad?

Oh, maybe he just fancied an early night.

Listen, my dad is trying to get his life back on track,

he doesn't need to be around...

A mess like me.

He just... He just needs some space.

£5, please.

Thanks.

It's kind of you.

It's just a cuppa.

I didn't mean the tea.

HE SIGHS

Anyway, I'll get out of your hair.

Lee, wait.

A bloke was handing these out on the street the other week.

-I don't make a habit of this, you know.

-I know.

I wasn't even going to...

I just had a bit of a wobble, that's all.

Well, next time you have a bit of a wobble,

remember what I told you - you're not alone.

-You're not going to tell him, are you?

-Do you blame me?

He's taken the news about Tony really badly.

Look, what if Michelle's right?

What if we are worrying about nothing?

-Time will tell, I suppose.

-Yeah.

Right, darling, we're going to head off.

You make sure you get plenty of rest, yeah?

-Bye, Phil.

-See you.

MONITOR BEEPS

# You ain't here to party... #

Hey, you can't be dancing, we ain't got a licence for that.

Listen, Steven, I wouldn't exactly call that dancing.

It's like watching a mating ritual!

Yeah, yeah, between a seal and a demented chicken.

Oi, Shrimpy, this is making me thirsty. What do you say?

-Yeah, I'll have another one.

-All right, I'm a modern woman.

He'll be too drunk to be useful if you carry on like this.

Yeah, very funny.

Woo! Hey-hey!

Come on, Shrimpy!

MUSIC: Dirrty by Christina Aguilera

Come on, Shrimpy!

Whoa! All right. Steady on!

What, what?

All right, love, thanks, but you seem kind of out of it.

Why don't you go home, eh?

MUSIC WARPS AND STUTTERS

-Are you OK? Should I get Ronnie?

-I'm fine.

Can you come pick me up?

CHEERING

How'd you get in here?

Long time, no see.

What do you want?

I heard you'd had the big op. New liver, new you.

Sorry, I forgot to bring grapes. Very...very remiss of me.

I said, what do you want?

What have I ever done to you, Phil?

Apart from being better looking, smarter,

better dressed...

Not really reasons for fitting a bloke up, are they?

I know all about it.

PHIL GROANS

Do it.

Well, go on. Do it.

It's too easy.

Forgiveness...

that's hard.

Take it.

Take my hand, Phil.

(I forgive you.)

It's OK.

Where've you been?

HE SIGHS

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you.

I had to drive into work this morning.

The traffic was a nightmare.

Are you OK? You look worried.

I'm fine.

Hey, hey, what's the matter?

Eh?

I'm really sorry.

I'm really sorry.

I shouldn't have got your hopes up.

Don't be daft, It's OK.

I don't mind.

You know about what you said earlier?

That ain't true.

I want your baby.

I do.

More than anything in the world.

-Really?

-Yeah.

Then that's all that matters.

We've got plenty of time.

'We just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other...

'..and whatever life's got planned for us, we just have to go with it.'

# The storm is coming

# But I don't mind. #

'I'm not going to let people like Oz get in my head any more.'

# People are dying... #

'Because that's not me, That's not who I am.'

# All that I know is I'm breathing now

# I want to change the world

# Instead I sleep

# I want to believe in more

# than you and me. #

SHE SIGHS

Look at you.

Don't worry, me and Danny will take care of you.

# All you can do is keep breathing. #

I'm OK.

We're OK.

It's all going to be OK.

SIRENS BLARE IN DISTANCE